3-dimensional ultrasound image provision using volume slices in an ultrasound system

ABSTRACT

Embodiments for providing a plurality of 3-dimensional ultrasound images by using a plurality of volume slices in an ultrasound system are disclosed. The ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from a target object to acquire ultrasound data; a volume data forming unit configured to form volume data by using the ultrasound data; a user input unit for allowing a user to input a user instruction; and a processing unit configured to set a plurality of volume slice regions having different widths in the volume data in response to the user instruction and form a plurality of 3-dimensional ultrasound images by using volume slices defined by the volume slice regions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/727,019 filed on Mar. 18, 2010, which in turn claims priority fromKorean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0028281 filed on Apr. 1, 2009, theentire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to ultrasound systems, and moreparticularly to an ultrasound system and method of providing a pluralityof 3-dimensional ultrasound images using volume slices.

BACKGROUND

An ultrasound system has become an important and popular diagnostic toolsince it has a wide range of applications. Specifically, due to itsnon-invasive and non-destructive nature, the ultrasound diagnosticsystem has been extensively used in the medical profession. Modemhigh-performance ultrasound diagnostic systems and techniques arecommonly used to produce two or three-dimensional diagnostic images ofinternal features of an object (e.g., human organs).

Generally, the ultrasound system transmits ultrasound signals into atarget object and receives echo signals reflected from the targetobject. The ultrasound system may form volume data consisting of aplurality of frames based on the received echo signals. Conventionally,the conventional ultrasound system sets one region of interest (ROI) ona plane image and forms a 3-dimensional ultrasound image correspondingto the ROI. Thus, when the undesirable 3-dimensional ultrasound image isformed, a user should reset the ROI.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of providing a plurality of 3-dimensional ultrasound imagesby using volume slices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, by wayof non-limiting example, an ultrasound system may include: an ultrasounddata acquisition unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasoundsignals to and from a target object to acquire ultrasound data; a volumedata forming unit configured to form volume data by using the ultrasounddata; an user input unit for allowing a user to input a userinstruction; and a processing unit configured to set a plurality ofvolume slice regions having different widths in the volume data inresponse to the user instruction and form a plurality of 3-dimensionalultrasound images by using volume slices defined by the volume sliceregions.

In one embodiment, a method of providing a plurality of 3-dimensionalultrasound images, comprises: a) transmitting and receiving ultrasoundsignals to and from a target object to acquire ultrasound data; b)forming volume data comprising a plurality of sectional planes by usingthe ultrasound data; c) receiving a user instruction from a user; and d)setting a plurality of volume slice regions having different widths inthe volume data in response to the user instruction and forming aplurality of 3-dimensional ultrasound images by using volume slicesdefined by the volume slice regions.

The Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of anultrasound system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of anultrasound data acquisition unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of aprocessing unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of volume data.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing examples of an A plane image, a Bplane image and a C plane image.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of setting a region ofinterest on A-C plane images and a plurality of volume slice regions onB and C plane images.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a layout having aplurality of display regions.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of indicating areference plane image, an OH view and indices on a layout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description may be provided with reference to theaccompanying drawings. One of ordinary skill in the art may realize thatthe following description is illustrative only and is not in any waylimiting. Other embodiments of the present invention may readily suggestthemselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of anultrasound system. The ultrasound system 100 may include an ultrasounddata acquisition unit 110. The ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 maybe configured to transmit ultrasound signals to a target object andreceive echo signals reflected from the target object. The ultrasounddata acquisition unit 110 may be further configured to form ultrasounddata based on the echo signals.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 mayinclude a transmit (Tx) signal generating section 111. The Tx signalgenerating section 111 may be configured to generate Tx pulses and applydelays to the Tx pulses to form a Tx pattern thereof. The Tx pattern maybe controlled according to an image mode such as a B-mode, an M-mode, aDoppler mode, etc.

The ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 may further include anultrasound probe 112. The ultrasound probe 112 may contain a pluralityof transducer elements 112 to receive the Tx pulses for conversion intoultrasound signals that may travel into the target object. Theultrasound probe 112 may receive ultrasound echo signals reflected fromthe target object and convert them into electrical receive signals,which may be analog signals. The ultrasound probe 112 may include a3-dimensional probe, a 2-dimensional array probe or the like.

The ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 may further include a beamforming section 113. The beam forming section 113 may convert theelectrical receive signals into digital signals and delay the digitalsignals in consideration of distances between the transducer elementsand focal points. The beam forming section 113 may further sum the delaydigital signals to form receive-focused signals.

The ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 may further include anultrasound data forming section 114. The ultrasound data forming section114 may be configured to form ultrasound data based on thereceive-focused signals. The ultrasound data forming section 114 may befurther configured to perform a variety of signal processing (e.g., gainadjustment, filtering, etc.) upon the receive-focused signals.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the ultrasound system 100 may further includea volume data forming unit 120. The volume data forming unit 120 may beconfigured to form volume data based on the ultrasound data. In oneembodiment, the volume data may include a plurality of frames.

The ultrasound system 100 may further include a user input unit 130allowing a user to input user instructions. In one embodiment, the userinput unit 130 may include at least one of a control panel, a mouse, akeyboard and the like. The user instructions may include a first userinstruction for setting a region of interest (ROI) on each of theplurality of frames and a second user instruction for selecting areference plane from the volume data. The user instructions may furtherinclude a third user instruction for setting a plurality of volume sliceregions to obtain volume slices having different depths (i.e., differentwidths) for forming a plurality of 3-dimensional ultrasound images basedon the volume slices. That is, the plurality of volume slice regionsrepresents a rendering range of different widths in the volume data. Theuser instruction may further include a fourth user instruction forsetting a layout including a plurality of display regions to display theplurality of 3-dimensional ultrasound images. A detailed description ofthe reference plane, the volume slice regions, the volume slices and thelayout will follow. The user instructions may further include a fifthuser instruction for setting whether or not to indicate an imagecorresponding to the reference plane (hereinafter, referred to as a“reference plane image”) and an orientation help (OH) view, and alsoinclude a sixth user instruction for setting intervals between theplurality of volume slice regions. The user instructions may furtherinclude a seventh user instruction for setting a reference volume sliceamong the plurality of volume slices.

The ultrasound system 100 may include a processing unit 140. Theprocessing unit 140 may be configured to set a plurality of volume sliceregions on the reference plane image in response to the third userinstruction. The processing unit 140 may be further configured to slicethe volume data perpendicular to the volume slice regions to obtain theplurality of volume slices. The processing unit 140 may form a pluralityof 3-dimensional ultrasound images by using the volume slices. In oneembodiment, a central processing unit or a graphic processing unit maybe adopted as the processing unit 140.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of theprocessing unit 140. Referring to FIG. 3, the processing unit 140 mayinclude a first image forming section 141. The first image formingsection 141 may form a plurality of images corresponding to a pluralityof planes, which are perpendicular to each other in the volume data(hereinafter, referred to as “plane images”). For example, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the first image forming section 141 may formframe images corresponding to an A plane, a B plane and a C plane set inthe volume data 210, as show in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the frameimages corresponding to the A, B and C planes will be referred to as A,B and C plane images I_(A), I_(B) and I_(C).

The processing unit 140 may further include an ROI setting section 142.The ROI setting section 142 may be configured to set an ROI on each ofthe plane images in response to the first user instruction. For example,the ROI setting section 142 may set the ROI 310 on each of the A to Cplane images I_(A)-I_(C), as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The processing unit 140 may further include a volume slice regionsetting section 143. The volume slice region setting section 143 may seta reference plane among the plurality of A, B and C planes in responseto the second user instruction. For example, the reference plane may bea B plane or C plane. The volume slice region setting section 143 mayfurther set a plurality of volume slice regions on a reference planeimage to determine rendering ranges of different volume depths forforming a plurality of 3-dimensional ultrasound images in response tothe third user instruction. For example, the volume slice region settingsection 143 may set first to seventh volume slice regions 321-327 on thereference plane image (B plane image or C plane image), as illustratedin FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the direction of the volume depth mayrepresent an axial direction, a lateral direction or an elevationdirection according to the selected reference plane.

Although the above embodiment has been described that the second tofourth volume slice regions 322-324 are set on the left of the firstvolume slice 321 and the fifth to seventh volume slice regions 325-327are set on the right of the first volume slice 321, the setting of thevolume slice regions 321-327 may not be limited thereto. The number andposition of the volume slice regions may be arbitrarily set according tothe third user instruction.

Further, the volume slice region setting section 143 may further adjustintervals between the volume slice regions set on the reference planeimage in response to the sixth user instruction. The volume slice regionsetting section 143 may be further configured to newly set a pluralityof volume slice regions in response to the seventh user instruction. Inone embodiment, if the seventh instruction for selecting a fourth3-dimensional ultrasound image 3D₃₂₄ among 3-dimensional ultrasoundimages 3D₃₂₁-3D₃₂₇, which are shown in FIG. 8, is inputted, then thevolume slice region setting section 143 may set the volume slice regioncorresponding to the fourth 3-dimensional ultrasound image 3D₃₂₄ as anew reference volume slice region. Further, the volume slice regionsetting section 143 may set new second to fourth volume slice regions onthe left of the new reference volume slice region, as well as new fifthto seventh volume slice regions on the right of the new reference volumeslice region.

In another embodiment, if the seventh instruction for selecting a second3-dimensional ultrasound image 3D₃₂₂ among 3-dimensional ultrasoundimages 3D₃₂₁-3D₃₂₇ is inputted, then the volume slice region settingsection 143 may set the volume slice region corresponding to the second3-dimensional ultrasound image 3D₃₂₂ as a new reference volume sliceregion. Further, the volume slice region setting section 143 may set newsecond to fourth volume slice regions on the left of the new referencevolume slice region, as well as new fifth to seventh volume sliceregions on the right of the new reference volume slice region.

The processing unit 140 may further include a second image formingsection 144. The second image forming section 144 may be configured toform 3-dimensional ultrasound images by using the ROIS and the volumeslices.

The processing unit 140 may further include a layout setting section145. The layout setting section 145 may set a layout having a pluralityof display regions for displaying the plurality of 3-dimensionalultrasound image formed in the second image forming section 144 inresponse to the fourth user instruction. In one embodiment, if thefourth instruction for setting the layout is inputted, then the layoutsetting section 145 may set the layout having a size of 3×3, i.e., firstto ninth display regions DR₁-DR₉, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Although theabove embodiment has been described that the layout is set to have ninedisplay regions, the layout may not be limited thereto. In oneembodiment, the layout setting section 145 may set a layout to havetwelve display regions (e.g., 4×3) or a layout to have twenty-fourdisplay regions (e.g., 6×4) in response to the fourth user instruction.Further, the layout setting section 145 may automatically set a layoutto have predetermined numbers of display regions.

The processing unit 140 may further include an index setting section146. The index setting section 146 may be configured to set indices atthe respective display regions included in the layout. In oneembodiment, the index setting section 146 may set a first index of “0”at a display region DR₅ for displaying a 3-dimensional ultrasound image3D₃₂₁ corresponding to the first volume slice set by the volume sliceregion 321 shown in FIG. 8. The index setting section 146 may set secondand fourth indices of “−1” to “−3” at display regions DR₃, DR₂ and DR₁for displaying 3-dimensional ultrasound images 3D₃₂₂, 3D₃₂₃ and 3D₃₂₄corresponding to the second to fourth volume slices set by the volumeslice regions 322-324, respectively. Further, the index setting section146 may set fifth to seventh indices of “+1” to “+3” at display regionsDR₇, DR₈ and DR₉ corresponding to fifth to seventh volume slices set bythe volume slice regions 325-327, respectively.

Although the above embodiment has been described that the indices areset at the display regions corresponding to the respective second toseventh volume slices set by the volume slice regions 322-327 withrespect to the first volume slice region 321, the setting of the indicesmay not be limited thereto. In one embodiment, the index setting section146 may set a first index of “0” at the display region DR3 fordisplaying the 3-dimensional ultrasound image 3D₃₂₂ corresponding to thesecond volume slice 322. In such a case, the index setting section 146may set second to seventh indices of “1” to “6” at the display regionsDR₂, DR₁, DR₅, DR₇, DR₈ and DR₉ corresponding to the volume slices setby the volume slice regions 323, 324, 321, 325, 326 and 327,respectively.

Although the above embodiments have been described that the indices areset by using the numerical values, the setting of the indices may not belimited thereto. In one embodiment, the indices may be set by differentcolors for the respective display regions.

The processing unit 140 may further include an OH forming section 147.The OH forming section 147 may be configured to form an OH view 410,which may 3-dimensionally indicate entire contours of the volume dataand the reference plane therein, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The processing unit 140 may further include an image processing section148. The image processing section 148 may arrange the reference planewith the ROI set, the OH view 410 and the plurality of 3-dimensionalultrasound images 3D₃₂₁-3D₃₂₇, the plurality of volume slices at thedisplay regions included in the layout set in the layout setting section145, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The image processing section 148 mayfurther apply the indices to the respective display regions according tothe indices set in the index setting section 146. The image processingsection 148 may also control whether or not to indicate the referenceplane and the OH view in the display regions in response to the fifthuser instruction. The image processing section 148 may further formposition information of the plurality of volume slice regions set on thereference plane image to thereby indicate the position information onthe display region included in the layout.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the ultrasound system 100 may further includea display unit to display the layout containing the 3-dimensionalultrasound images, the reference plane image and the OH view. Theultrasound system 100 may further include a control unit 160. Thecontrol unit 160 may be configured to control the operations of entireelements included in the ultrasound system 100. In one embodiment, thecontrol unit 160 may control the transmission and reception of theultrasound signals. The control unit 160 may further control theformation and the display of the 3-dimensional ultrasound images.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, numerous variations andmodifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements ofthe subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure,the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations andmodifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternativeuses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ultrasound system, comprising: an ultrasounddata acquisition unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasoundsignals to and from a target object to acquire ultrasound data; a volumedata forming unit configured to form volume data by using the ultrasounddata; an user input unit for allowing a user to input a userinstruction; and a processing unit configured to set a plurality ofvolume slice regions having different widths in the volume data inresponse to the user instruction and form a plurality of 3-dimensionalultrasound images by using volume slices defined by the volume sliceregions.